Effects of heterozygosity on performance of purebred and crossbred pigs

BACKGROUND: In pigs, crossbreeding aims at exploiting heterosis, but heterosis is difficult to quantify. Heterozygosity at genetic markers is easier to measure and could potentially be used as an indicator of heterosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of heterozygosity on various maternal and production traits in purebred and crossbred pigs. The proportion of heterozygosity at genetic markers across the genome for each individual was included in the prediction model as a fixed regression across or within breeds. RESULTS: Estimates of regression coefficients of heterozygosity showed large effects for some traits. For maternal traits, regression coefficient estimates were always in a favourable direction, while for production, meat and slaughter quality traits, they were both favourable and unfavourable. Traits with the largest estimated effects of heterozygosity were total number born, litter weight at 3 weeks, weight at 150 days, and age at 40 kg. Estimates of regression coefficients on heterozygosity differed between breeds. Traits with the largest effect of heterozygosity also showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in prediction accuracy when heterozygosity was included in the model compared to the model without heterozygosity. CONCLUSIONS: For traits with the largest estimates of regression coefficients on heterozygosity, the inclusion of heterozygosity in the model improved prediction accuracy. Using models that include heterozygosity would result in selecting different animals for breeding, which has the potential to improve genetic gain for these traits. This is most beneficial when crossbreds or several breeds are included in the estimation of breeding values and is relevant to all species, not only pigs. Thus, our results show that including heterozygosity in the model is beneficial for some traits, likely due to dominant gene action. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12711-019-0450-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.